Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5
Starting today, November 8, parents and guardians can schedule an appointment for their children 6 months to under 5 years of age to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Young children will need to receive three doses of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, at least eight weeks apart, for their primary series. Moderna’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, which has been available for a few months, only requires two doses at least eight weeks apart.
“Other than the number of doses in the primary series, there is no significant difference between the two vaccines. However, we want to ensure that parents have all the information they need to make their choice,” says Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. If your child has not yet had their vaccine, there are plenty of appointments for both pediatric vaccines across the province. Your child should receive the same vaccine as part of their primary series. »
The primary series for children with moderate to severe immunodeficiency includes an additional dose of the vaccine, making three doses in total for Moderna’s vaccine and four doses in total for Pfizer’s vaccine. Public Health recommends that these children receive Moderna’s pediatric vaccine since it is only three doses and they will be protected more quickly. However, children with moderate to severe immunodeficiency can receive Moderna’s or Pfizer’s vaccine without any problems.
Young children with moderate to severe immunodeficiency who receive Moderna’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least four weeks between the first and second dose, and eight weeks between the second and third dose.
Young children with moderate to severe immunodeficiency who receive Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least four weeks between the second and third dose, and eight weeks between the third and fourth dose.
Pharmacy appointments are online at https://novascotia.ca/vaccination or by phone at 1-833-797-7772. Appointments can be made by phone Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Quick Facts
- There are approximately 34,000 children aged 6 months to 4 years in Nova Scotia.
- The provincial government has adopted the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization on the use of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
- Children who have contracted COVID-19 must wait eight weeks between their recovery and the administration of a vaccine.
- If children 6 months to 4 years old have received other regular childhood vaccines, these vaccines can only be given at least 14 months before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Children will be deemed fully immunized 14 days after their last dose.
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